Railway signal-flag.



N0. a51,01 2. PATBNTED APR..23,1907.

J. LANIIIS. I

RAILWAY SIGNAL FLAG.

APPLICATION FILED 1150.20, 1905.

v THE umzms Pan-Is co., WASHINGTON, D. cv

UNITED STATES JOHN LANIUS, OF GALION, OHIO.

RAILWAY SIGNAL-FLAG.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 23, 1907.

Application filed December 20, 1905. Serial No. 292,622.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN LANIUs,a citizen of the United States, residingat Galion, in the county of Crawford and State of Ohio, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal Flags, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention pertains to improvements in what may be styled railwaysignal flags and staffs.

Said invention has for its object to promote simplicity of constructionand to facilitate the manipulating of the parts and otherwise add to theconvenience and utility of the same; and to these ends the inventionconsists of certain features substantially as hereinafter fullydisclosed, and particularly pointed out by the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment ofmy invention, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the same. Fig. 2 is abroken-away enlarged view more especially of the flexible portion orjoint in the staff. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are disassembled detailed viewsof certain component parts of the invention. Fig. 7 is a broken detailedperspective view of one of said parts.

In the disclosure of my invention I form the flag 1 of thin sheet metalor compressed fibrous or equally-durable material, which is incontinuation of said flag bent or formed into a slightly-upward taperingtube 1' to constitute a portion of the staff, with a returned flat edgeportion or terminal 1 which is suitably secured by rivets, solder,cement, or otherwise to the opposite inner edge of the flag. In theupper end of said tube is inserted a plug or cup 1, preferably of woodor metal, the purpose of which is ob vious. A base 2 is also provided ofmalleable or pressed iron or of steel having vertical braces orplate-like formations 2" 2, out standing from and at right angles to acentral plate-like member 2'. Said base has its upper end portion, orthat equipped with the p ate formations 0r braces 2 2, inserted into thelower or larger end of the tube 1", which plates serve tobrace the basein position therein, while the plate ,or brace 2 in addition extends andis in common secured or riveted to and between the flat edge portion 1of the tube and the opposite portion of the flag 1, as shown in Fig. 1,the purpose of which is apparent. Said casting or base 2 below thebraces or plate formations just noted has integral therewith at asuitable interval apart an upper and a lower disk formation 2 2,respectively, intermediately of which and also integral therewith areradialplate formations or braces 2 Still farther down the casting orbase 2 has formed therewith additional radial plate formations 2 thesame, however, not extending out ward as far as the parts thereabove,and having numerous notches 2 in their edges to provide for theeffective engagement therewith of the inner edges or portions of theupper end spirals of a spring 3, compactly coiled into tubular form, asshown, to form, together with said, base or casting 2, practi cally acontinuation of the flagstaif, as will be appreciated.

Into the lower end of the tubular spring 3 is inserted an upstandingtubular post formation 4 of a base-plate 4, said post formation alsohaving numerous notched ribs 4* for the like purpose as above noted forthe notches 2. The use of the spring 3 provides for the limited flexingor yielding ac tion of the flagstaif of which it is a constituent toprevent the flag being damaged by close-passing trains and from the jarcaused by heavy cars or engines.

A bracket 2, for suitably attaching the contrivance or flag to acaboose-car or engine, has an outstanding arm 5*, terminated in a plate5 having a single notch or recess 5 the function of which will presentlyappear. The plate 5 of the bracket-arm 5 has extending from its uppersurface an axis or pivot 5, which is received within the tubular post 4of the member 4, and which has suitably riveted or swaged down thereon awasher or annulus 5", effective to prevent the accidental upwarddisplacement of the part 4 4 as readily noted.

A dog or detent 6 is pivoted upon a stud 6 of the bracket-arm 5 forengagement with any one of a number of notches or recesses 4, formed inthe plate 4, which may be caused to register with the notch 5 in thebracketarm plate 4 for the suitable retention at the required point ofadjustment of the fiagstaff, according to the angle of presentation itmay be required to give the flag.

I claim- 1. A device of the character described, comprising asignaling-flag having a tubular r, -l fill formation adapted toconstitute the fiagstaff in part, a base member having its upper endinsertible in the lower end of said tubularformation and having a wingor plate formation interposed between a lapping edge portion of saidtubular formation and said flag and secured in place in commontherewith.

2. A signaling-flag having its staff constituted in part of acompactly-coiled tubular spring and a staif-adjusting contrivancecomprising a tubular post formation having notched ribs adapted forinsertion into the lower end of said spring and effective engagementwith the coils or spirals of said spring, and means insertible in saidtubular formation for retention in place.

3. A signaling device comprising a flag, its staff constituted in partof a compactlycoiled tubular spring, a bracket having a notched plate ordisk terminal, a tubular post formation inserted into the lower end ofsaid spring having its carrying disk or plate portion provided with anumber of notches or recesses and resting upon a pivot or axis formationof the notched plate of said disk, and a dog or detent carried by thearm of said bracket and adapted to engage the notches of said plates ordisks.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN LANIUS.

Witnesses:

C. R. MILLER, C. H. HENKEL.

